Elaborate tile work in this railway station tells the story of Portugal.

One of the most beautiful bookstores in the world hides a neo-Gothic interior behind an art nouveau facade.

This fairytale castle was built as a show of power but was nearly torn down thanks to its history of torture.

Celebrated example of Ottoman architecture that also served as a site for brutal massacres.

Oriental bazaar in the heart of Sarajevo.

Bridge that died in war and was resurected.

Longest fortress system anywhere in Europe.

Macabre astrological automaton clock dating to the late 1400s.

This one-time health resort was used by aristocrats around the world.

A towering spire in the fortress of Kalemegdan honors the victorious armies of Serbia during their struggles against the Ottoman Empire.

A misnamed well, with a deep dark past.

A pair of connected skyscrapers form this symbolic gateway.

This spaceship-like Serbian monument reaches for the stars in celebration of the fallen fighters of fascism.

Destroyed Serbian army headquarters sits half crumbled in a largely revitalized Belgrade.

Structure built from the skulls of vanquished foes.

A tiny church on a man-made island in the Adriatic.

This exclusive resort has completely covered a tiny Balkan island in a 5-star warren of guest rooms.

These historic defenses ensured the city within would survive hundreds of years of occupations, sieges, and invasions.

Where commuters walk through remnants of an ancient Greek necropolis.

This ancient Greek place of assembly and marketplace is being revealed layer by layer below the modern Athens cityscape.

150 or so scrounged-up lamps, chandeliers, and lanterns light up this alley in central Athens.

A minotaur, a labyrinth, and a dubious restoration pull in visitors from around the world.

Formerly known as the Malay Quarter, Bo Kaap is a colorfully-painted suburb located in the “Mother City” of South Africa.

This African beach is home to thousands of rare mainland penguins that are known for their annoying voice.